Meet The Team

Mark Davies, CEO

- Hawthorn Leisure Board

Mark is a Chartered Accountant with over twenty-five years' corporate and finance experience. As CEO, Mark has group responsibility for the Hawthorn Leisure community pub portfolio and its strategic and operational performance. Mark lives an active life as a keen runner and cyclist and will probably persuade you to join the annual "Way of the Roses" charity bike ride followed by a deserved pint of Guinness or two.

Edith is a qualified Chartered Accountant with over twenty years' experience, specialising in advising the business in strategic and operational matters and talent development. Edith promotes people as the heartbeat of our pub company and ensures talent, well-being and the HR strategy are central to everything we do.

Edith is not only the COO of Hawthorn Leisure but is Head of HR at NewRiver REIT plc, a FTSE 250 Company. View her NewRiver profile here.

Matt Ward, CFO

- Hawthorn Leisure Board

Matt is a Chartered Management Accountant with over twenty years of financial and general management experience across hospitality, retail, travel and other customer facing sectors. Matt oversees the financial and commercial functions within Hawthorn and has a real passion for transforming and improving businesses. Matt is a keen runner, and in keeping fit, he has the energy and enthusiasm for both his team and his family.

Edward Little, Property Director

- Hawthorn Leisure Board

Ed is MRICS Chartered, and brings considerable experience in the leisure sector, having worked in Acquisitions and Asset Management roles at Pizza Hut, Stonegate and MOD Pizza. Ed forms great relationships with agents and operators alike. If Ed’s not at work, he’s either in the gym or booking his next holiday.

Andy Parker, Director of Leased and Tenanted Operations

- Hawthorn Leisure Board

After a fourteen-year career in food retail, Andy decided it was time to go back to his roots. With a passion for pubs and developing great performing teams, Andy leads the Northern region of the Operations team. When he’s not out in trade with his team, Andy can be found cycling to his local pub for a well-deserved Carling while watching the football.

Mark Brooke, Director of Managed Operations

- Hawthorn Leisure Board

Mark is an experienced operator who has held senior roles within the food, finance and retail sectors. Marks passion is people, and he was attracted to Hawthorn Leisure by its people-first culture and its ambition to be the number 1 community pub operator. When Mark is not trying to make the 'boat go faster', he can be found reading or making memories with his family.

David Lockhart, Non-Executive Chairman

- Hawthorn Leisure Board

David is the Non-Executive Chairman of Hawthorn Leisure and is also Executive Deputy Chairman of NewRiver REIT plc. David co-founded NewRiver in 2009 and served as its CEO until April 2018. David is an experienced and successful entrepreneur, having founded several property businesses across the United Kingdom.

Ken Buckley, Non-Executive Director

- Hawthorn Leisure Board

Ken has more than 40 years of experience in the UK pub sector, having held board and senior positions at FTSE 100 companies including Greenall’s Pubs & Restaurants and the Bold Pub Company. Ken co-founded Bravo Inns in 2007, a North West based community pub company with 44 pubs. Bravo Inns joined the Hawthorn Leisure’s Operator Managed estate in December 2019.

Ashley Lovett, Operations Director South

- Leadership Team

Ash is an experienced operator, having worked with EI Group and across the FMCG sector. He brings with him over ten years of pub industry experience to lead the Southern region of Hawthorn Leisure Operations. Ash thrives off the fast-paced nature of the pub industry and generally lives his life in the fast lane. Ash is a keen motorbike racer, gym goer and father to toddler Lucas (who certainly keeps him on his toes).

Elaine Kennedy, Operations Director Scotland

- Leadership Team

Elaine has over eleven years of experience in senior operator roles, having worked previously for Greene King and Punch Taverns, and now heads up our Operations team in Scotland. When she is not challenging her team, Elaine spends her downtime enjoying the countryside, while walking the many dogs that board with her.

Jennie Tucker, Head of Marketing

- Leadership Team

Jenn has over ten years of experience in the pub, restaurant and hospitality sector. She is responsible for the marketing and PR support for Hawthorn Leisure, our Operator Managed pubs and Leased & Tenanted pubs. When she’s not out spec testing in our pubs or scouting for the latest trends, she is running around after her toddler and Shih Tzu.

Chris Beck, Commercial Director

- Leadership Team

Chris is our class act buyer with over twenty years of experience in drinks sales and purchasing, for big pub companies in the UK and Australia. Chris is responsible for making sure our Partners get the product they need. A keen cyclist and rugby fan, Chris takes his role of ‘market research’ in the pubs very seriously.

Suzie Kalsi, HR Manager

- Leadership Team

Suzie is CIPD qualified and with over seven years of HR experience, she supports the Hawthorn Leisure team dealing with operational and strategic HR. When Suzie isn’t focussed on recruitment, employee well-being and training, you can find her jetting off to a new destination to explore.

Andrew Cannons, Property & Facilities Director

- Leadership Team

Andrew is an experienced leader with a passion for pubs and a broad experience base in Property. He has over ten years of experience in the pub sector, having worked at Greene King and Heineken. When he’s not at work Andrew enjoys relaxing on sailing holidays with his family.

Daryl Kelly, Head of Financial Control, Process & Systems

- Leadership Team

With over twenty years of experience in senior finance roles, and having worked with most of the big pub companies, Daryl was attracted to Hawthorn Leisure for its ambitious growth plans and pace of change, and of course, the fact that he loves a good pub! Daryl loves travelling with his family and making memories – just like his lifelong football club Leicester City F.C. did (once!)

Liz Davis, Head of Commercial Finance & Reporting

- Leadership Team

Liz has over fifteen years' of experience in the pub and hospitality sector, having held numerous finance roles at Mitchells & Butlers before joining Hawthorn. Liz's downtime is family time, looking after two energetic young children, travelling with her family and socialising with friends over a glass or two of prosecco.